Report on Health Care Education in Nevada.

This document attempts to determine whether the University and Community College System of Nevada (UCCSN) is preparing a health care workforce that is appropriate for the current and future health care needs of the state of Nevada. To assess this issue, the system collected and analyzed current data in terms of the state of health and health care in Nevada, health care workforce trends, and health care education. This report draws the following conclusions about health and health care in Nevada: (1) Nevada perennially ranks among the bottom tier of U.S. states along a wide range of health measures; (2) Nevada suffers from high levels of mental illness and behavioral health problems; (3) Nevada's poor health profile is closely tied to high prevalence rates for "at risk" behaviors including smoking and substance abuse; and (4) Nevada's poor health record is aggravated by high percentages of adults lacking health insurance, access barriers to mental health care, comparatively meager provision and distribution of primary health care resources, and low rates of routine preventative health services used. In terms of health workforce trends, the researchers found that: (1) projected employment growth for a majority of health care occupations exceed the average projected growth through 2006; (2) projected employment growth across all industry segments in the health care industry is substantial and exceeds national projections; and (3) strong employment growth is projected for a wide range of comparatively well-paying occupations requiring postsecondary credentials. The report concludes with recommendations for general policy, health care education, and health care program planning and development for UCCSN. (TGO)